health
Stroke patients in underserved areas delay care
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 18, 2011
Getting effective treatment for acute stroke is a race against the clock, yet often such care is delayed among patients living in medically underserved communities, says a June study in Stroke, a journal of the American Heart Assn.
Researchers sought to understand some of the barriers to rapid stroke care through a survey of 253 residents in a predominantly black urban community of Washington, D.C. They found that although 89% of survey respondents correctly cited calling 911 as the first thing to do in case of a stroke, only 12% of stroke patients there actually called 911 first. Instead, their first call was to a relative or friend, the study said (link).
Of the 89% of patients who delayed seeking medical care for stroke, nearly 50% said they thought the symptoms weren't serious or would resolve themselves over time. Further research is needed to determine reasons behind patients' reluctance to call 911, and how to counteract those instincts, the study said.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/18/hlbf0718.htm.
